First Funerals for Italy Quake Victims, Death Toll Rises

A hospitalized man succumbed to his injuries

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A woman mourns during the state funeral service of some of the earthquake victims in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, on Aug. 27, 2016. Funerals for some victims took place on Friday, while those for many others are expected in the coming days.

The death toll in Italy’s earthquake rose to 291 Saturday as the country began a national day of mourning and prepared for a mass state funeral for some of the victims, NBC News reported.

Italy’s civil protection agency said the death toll included 230 victims in Amatrice, 11 in Accumoli and 50 in Araqta del Tronto, after a hospitalized man succumbed to his injuries.

Mourners gathered at a sports center in Amatrice, where 35 coffins were lined up by early Saturday.

The search for survivors continued, but it’s been three days since anyone was found alive in the ruins of the worst-hit mountainous towns. Hundreds of families were left homeless by the trembler, which hit the area on Wednesday.

Italian Girl, 10, Rescued From Earthquake Rubble

A 10-year-old girl was pulled alive from the rubble in Pescara del Tronto on Wednesday 17 hours after the quake struck central Italy.